HARIANEXPRESS – Blitar Mayor Syauqul Muhibbin, widely known as Mas Ibin, delivered a resounding message to the newly appointed officials within the Blitar City Government. During the inauguration of Primary High Leadership (JPT) Pratama officials on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Mas Ibin challenged bureaucrats to embrace risk-taking in their duties.
He offered a clear choice: if any official felt unable to shoulder the responsibilities of their position, they were welcome to resign. This stern directive was issued against a backdrop of increasingly complex governmental management challenges.
Mas Ibin Urges Bold Leadership in Blitar
Mayor Syauqul Muhibbin firmly stated that modern bureaucracy requires leaders who are not afraid to make bold decisions. He emphasized that playing it safe and avoiding risky choices is not an option.
Leaders of Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) must be at the forefront of tackling community issues. Therefore, the courage to make decisions is an essential quality for any official leading a regional unit.
“The work of the government today is very demanding. The responsibility of holding office is very heavy. We must be leaders who are the first to take risks in every one of our Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD),” stressed Mas Ibin.
Mas Ibin further explained that a government position extends beyond mere authority. It also entails the significant responsibility of making crucial decisions, even when those decisions carry inherent risks.
He cautioned officials against seeking positions without being prepared for the accompanying workload. OPD leaders, he reiterated, must be the primary risk-takers when their organizations encounter problems.
Transparent Selection Process for Key Positions
The Blitar Mayor also clarified that the current appointments for JPT Pratama positions followed a strict and transparent open bidding mechanism. Participants underwent several rigorous selection stages before being confirmed for strategic roles within the Blitar City Government.
These stages included administrative selection, a track record investigation, competency tests, essay writing, interviews with the selection committee, and even special consultations with the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) for the Regional Secretary position.
Mas Ibin highlighted that this selection process was competency-based and entirely free from coercion. Consequently, he expects the selected officials to demonstrate full commitment to their assigned duties.
He then reiterated his open offer to those who might falter mid-journey.
“If you applied before, then if you find it difficult or unable to carry out your responsibilities along the way, you are allowed to resign from your position,” he firmly stated.
This statement underscored the high leadership standards expected by the Blitar City Government. Officials are not only required to possess competence but also the courage to utilize their authority in resolving governmental issues.
Six Strategic Positions Filled
During the inauguration ceremony, six vital strategic positions were filled. These included the Secretary of the Blitar City DPRD and the Head of the Blitar City BKPSDM.
Other key appointments were the Head of the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services (PTSP) Office, the Head of the Public Housing and Settlement Areas Office, the Head of the Youth and Sports Office, and the Head of the Culture and Tourism Office.
The filling of these positions is part of the Blitar City Government’s broader effort to reinforce its bureaucratic structure. The local government aims for these newly appointed officials to boost the performance of regional apparatuses, making them more adaptive in addressing community issues and needs.
Beyond being adaptive, the bureaucracy is also targeted to become more responsive and accountable. This means officials are expected to move beyond routine administrative tasks, ensuring that government policies and programs genuinely impact public service delivery.
Mayor Mas Ibin’s message positions risk-taking courage as an integral part of bureaucratic leadership responsibility. For the Blitar City Government, strategic positions are not merely about status; they are about a readiness to lead when tough decisions must be made and societal problems faced.
